Ark Encounter Park on Eastern Standard

A new biblical-themed amusement park is set to open July 7th in Grant County, but some Kentuckians believe that the tax breaks the park is receiving violate the separation of church and state. A much-anticipated full scale Ark will be the center of the park as well as zip lines and other attractions.

Listen

Listening...

/

51:00

Jay Hall from Tourism, Arts, and Humanities for the Commonwealth joined us in the studio for the Eastern Standard discussion on the opening of the Ark Encounter Park.

Ken Ham, President of Answers in Genesis will be joining us live via Skype for the show; as well as Reverend Barry Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United. Jay Hall from Kentucky's Tourism, Arts, and Humanities will be live in the studio.

We’re interested in your questions and comments on the park before and during the show at wekueasternstandard@gmail.com. You can leave a voice message at 859-622-1657 or call in when you tune in for EST Thursday morning from 11 to noon on 88.9 WEKU.

Feel free to tweet about the topic @wekuEST and post to the WEKU facebook page.

Related Content

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. (AP) — Two billboard companies have refused to display an advertisement by an atheist group to protest the Ark Encounter amusement park in Kentucky.

Tri-State Freethinkers president Jim Helton tells news outlets the group recently raised $10,000 for a billboard. The proposed design depicts Noah's Ark with people drowning around it and the words, "Genocide and Incest Park: Celebrating 2,000 years of myths."

The advertisement has been turned down by billboard companies Lamar and Event Advertising and Promotions LLC.

A battle over a Kentucky tax incentive for a religious theme park featuring Noah's Ark has ended in a win for the big boat. A state tourism board this week approved a sales tax rebate incentive worth about $18 million for the 510-foot long Ark Encounter attraction.

Kentucky officials in 2014 withdrew the project from the incentive program, which rebates a portion of sales tax collected by a tourist attraction.

State officials at the time said the incentive would be funding "religious indoctrination."

A religious freedom law, similar to the one that has recently drawn national attention in Indiana, has been on the books in Kentucky for two years and is currently being used as an argument to sue the state.

Listener Ann, wrote a comment on the WEKU website post for last week’s Eastern Standard show on depression. She told us, “Perfect timing for this topic in my household. My husband just went to seek treatment for severe depression...” We won’t relay the rest of her story but it is available for all to see on the website.